My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her

cake is so

she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for

Rae.” Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to

to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel

sing the

Rachel must close her eyes and make a

must blow out

to Julian that there was no

still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice

little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking

the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake

you!” their parents

Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed

the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank

be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body

I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression

bringing up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting

she turned and headed toward the

she was inside her apartment and about to

door was propped open by

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on it.

out on business?

sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying the

see you’ve been getting along fine without

she took two steps

he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto the

you

approached her,

had no idea what

pulled, she staggered after